The following letter was sent today to the MIT community by MIT Chancellor W. Eric Grimson and Dean for Undergraduate Education Daniel Hastings.
To the members of the MIT community:
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Fisher v. University of Texas, returning the case to the lower courts for further review. We are pleased the Supreme Court upheld the legal principle that diversity is a compelling educational interest and recognized that a university may enroll a diverse student body that best serves its educational mission.
As we outlined in an amicus brief that we filed in support of the University of Texas, we believe that the quality of our students' education and their preparedness to have impact in today's world are greatly enriched by a student body that is diverse in many ways. Diversity encourages students to question their assumptions, to understand that wisdom and contributions to society may be found where not expected, and to appreciate the complexity of the modern world. At MIT, we seek to educate students who will have the personal and technical skills to innovate in and shape this new, interconnected world, and we therefore believe that a talented and diverse student body is essential for our ability to carry out this mission.
Our admissions office and the faculty Committee on Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid will study this opinion to assure our adherence to the standards articulated by the Court.
Sincerely,
Eric Grimson
Daniel Hastings
To the members of the MIT community:
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Fisher v. University of Texas, returning the case to the lower courts for further review. We are pleased the Supreme Court upheld the legal principle that diversity is a compelling educational interest and recognized that a university may enroll a diverse student body that best serves its educational mission.
As we outlined in an amicus brief that we filed in support of the University of Texas, we believe that the quality of our students' education and their preparedness to have impact in today's world are greatly enriched by a student body that is diverse in many ways. Diversity encourages students to question their assumptions, to understand that wisdom and contributions to society may be found where not expected, and to appreciate the complexity of the modern world. At MIT, we seek to educate students who will have the personal and technical skills to innovate in and shape this new, interconnected world, and we therefore believe that a talented and diverse student body is essential for our ability to carry out this mission.
Our admissions office and the faculty Committee on Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid will study this opinion to assure our adherence to the standards articulated by the Court.
Sincerely,
Eric Grimson
Daniel Hastings
